Sliding window or screen



J. zlTRl'N SLIDING WINDOW OR SCREEN Jan. 8, v1946.

Filed Sept. 8, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IA u J. l. ZITRlN Jan. 8, 1946.

SLIDING WINDOW OR SCREEN Filed Sept. 8, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zmventor Z 1%??? sheets-sheet 3 nventor Gttorneg Jan. 8,- 1946. J. zlTRlN SLIDING WINDOW OR SCREEN Filed Sept. 8, 1943 lneously Patented Jan. 8, 1946 l UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIDING WINDOW'ORSCREEN Jack I. zitrin, Newark. N. J. Application September 8, 1943, Serial No. 501,519

(Cl. 16B-e184) 6l Claims.

`This invention relates in general to ordinary windows and doors for buildings, aeroplaries, show cases and the like, storm windows and screens of the type that include one o-r more sections` which slide in a frame as contrasted with the type that have sections mounted to swing on hooks and eyes or-hinges.

The original installation of windows, especially storm. windows, and screens as Well as the occasional or seasonal installations and removals, are tedious, consume too much time, requiretools, fitting of sash orscreen sections and. connecting together of hooks andY eyes; generally a skilled person is necessary todo the job. Moreover, the costof the structure is high,v Also, known structures of this character easily become broken and require a large amount of space, especially when in storage.

A prime object of my inventionY is to provide a novel and improved construction for a window, or a door or-a screen which shall berelatively inexpensive, which can be originally installed and occasionally or` seasonally changed in a minimum of time andl by a relatively unskilled person, which cannot be easily-broken and which will' require cnlya small amount of space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of. the characterv described and of the type that includes two sections, panels or sash t'riat-areslidable-in guide groovesin a frame, and which embodies a novelA and' improvedconstruction such that said sections, panels or sash can be inserted into and removed from said guide grooves in said vframe` in succession, easily and quickly and by a relatively unskilled person, or even a child oran elderlylperson, without tools and with a minimum of manipulation of parts.

A furtherobject is to provide such a construction, particularlyrfor a stormwindow, which'shall comprise a sash, panel or lsefctionformedof transparent flexible material, forexample a plastic substance or wire mesh, slidable in'guide grooves in a frame which is constructed with notches leading laterally into said grooves sothat said section can he inserted into and removed from said groovesI by lbending or-Yexing and simultalongitudinally sliding said` section through said notches.

Other objects, advantages and results o f the invention will be Ibrought outby the following description in conjunction with the accompany ing drawings in which l Figure 1 is a` perspective View of a storm window` embodying my? invention installed within an ordinary window frame.

Figure 2 is an enlargedA vertical longitudinal sectional-view on the line 2 2 of Figurel.

Figure 3 is a. further enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View showing the manner of inserting and` removing thewindow or screen sections, sash or panels.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4rof Figurel,

Figure 5 is a similar view on* the line 5-5 of Figure. l.

Figure 6 is a detachedperspective view of one of the sash 0r panels illustrated in Figure 1".

Figure 7 is a -view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification of the invention.

Figure 8 isjan enlarged vertical sectional View onthe line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 3*-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 isa similar view showing a modification of the. invention. Y

Figurell is a detachedperspective viewoi one of theA sash or panelsillustrated in Figure 7.

Figure l2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing another modication of the invention.

Figure. 13 isl an enlarged fragmentary elevational view ofthe inside oirone of the side pieces o'f` the mounting frame, illustrating a modification ofthe invention.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of the inside of one of the side pieces of themounting frame, showing another modification ofV the invention.

Figure 15 is a sideelevational view' -oftheconstruction shown in- Figure 14.

Figure 1,6 is an elevational view of the inside of a building window having a storni window embodying a modication ofi the invention installed therein, portions ofthe regular window' sash being broken. away for clearness in illustration.

tional view on theline.. lfIz-,fl'l `of'Figurer 16;

Figure 18.' is a further enlarged vertical sectionalview on the line I81-.i8^=of Figure-17, with portions ofthe structure. broken away.Y

Figure 19 is a fragmentary. perspectivev viewof onel of the windowv panels illustrated in Figures 16` to 18 inclusive.

Figure 20 is a,fragmentary-horizontal sectional viewv through oneofthe panels and one-of the side pieces of a mounting frame, showingv` afurther-modification of the invention;

Figure-211 isa fragmentary horizontal: sectional Figure 17 isan enlargedy broken horizontalsec- View throughone of the panels when the invention is embodied in a window screen, and

Figure 22 is a similar view showing a modification of one of the plastic panels. Speciiically describing the embodiment of the V inventionillustrated in Figuresrl to 6 inclusive,

the reference character A designates a mounting arame, comprising side pieces I and end pieces 2, to fit within a window frame B at the outside of Y the usual sashwhich in the present instance is "shown as comprising an upper sash C and a lower sash D vertically slida'ble in the window frame.Y

Within the mounting frame are slidably arranged rails I adjacent each transverse edge to prevent Yiiexing of the panels along longitudinal lines. It

is desirable that the rails at the overlapping end portions of the panels abut each other when the panels are in frame-closing position as shown in Figure 2. This is especially desirable where'the panels constitute sash of astorm'window so as to prevent Ypassage of air between the panels. Any suitable weather-tight interlocking contact between said rails may be utilized.

With such a construction it will be observed that4 the top rail of the` lower panel will engage two panels, sections or sash E and F of flexiblev Y material; for example, for a storm window the material may be of any suitable flexible transl-y vparent plastic material, and for a window screen the sections may comprise wire screen or gauze.

Each of the side pieces I Yof the mounting frame Yhas two parallel' longitudinal grooves 3 and 1I in the inner surface thereof and opening inwardly of said mountingframe, each groove in one side piece being complemental to one of said grooves Vin the other side piece formounting one of the panelsrE and F. Each panel has'each of its longi- V tudinal edges 5 formed to slide in the correspondingsaid complemental grooves and the panels `are of such size andY shape that they may be arranged at opposite ends of the mounting frame` with one 'end portion of each overlapping an end portion -Iof the other'to wholly close the frame, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

In accordance with this form of the invention, the panels E and F may be inserted into and removed from the respective-grooves 3 and 4 fromY "either the outside or the inside of the window, but as shown in the drawings the panels are insertedrand removed into and from Vthe mounting frame fromA the inside of the window. YFor this purpose, each side piece is vprovided with an opening or notch 6 which extends inwardly from theinner face of the mounting frame and from the inner' surface of the side piece, and saidnotch or opening intersects both of the guide grooves r3 and 4. The openings or notches 6 are located `atene side, preferably the lower side of the middle ofthe length of the frame'as clearly shown in Figure 2, and preferably said notches or openings are Ydirected upwardly, viewing them from the" innerrface of the frame.

d i In order tomount the panels Erand F in the mounting frame, the panel is rst inserted for the upper or outer portion of the frame. 'The panels are alike so'` that no particular care is required in selecting the panels for the upper and lower positions.

longitudinal edges of the panel intol alignment Ywith the portions of the outer guide 'grooves 4 above the openings, the panel. being eXed along transverse lines and simultaneously slid upwardly. After the longitudinal edges of the panel The upper end of the panel` `is slipped through the notches 6 to bring the have been entirely Yinserted into therrespective y grooves Il the panel is' slid downwardly past the opening 6 as shown in Figure 3. Thereupon the upper end 'of Vthe other'panel is slipped through the openings B and flexed and longitudinally slid upwardlyto bring the longitudinal edges of the panel into the corresponding. guide grooves 3.

`The panel is slid upwardly until the lower edge passes: the openings 6 Vwhereupon the panel is 4pulled downwardlyrinto itsinormal position as shown in Figure 2.v Then'the upper panel E may ."be pushedupwardly to its normal position.

Preferably, each panel has rigid transverse ner.

iaistud IIa to frictionally t a socketV I2 in the appearance, to vnormally close the openings 6 on the sides of the frame with closure blocks I I which may be secured in position in any suitable man- .As shown in Figure 5, the closure block has window frame. Y

VA modic'ation of the invention is shown in Figures 7 to 11 inclusive where the mounting .frame Gis in general the same as the mounting frame A andxcomprisesjside pieces I4 and end Vpieces I5 and I6, each side piece having two parallel longitudinal grooves I'I and I8 in the inner surface thereof and opening inwardly of the frame for guiding the panels Hf and I. However, each side pieceA has a ange Ma lwhich overlies the outerY face of' the window frame K, and the mounting frame is secured in the window frame ,byfastening members .suche as wood screws 29 `passing 'through said flanges and into the window iframe. Preferably,the top'end piece I 5 has a angella corresponding to the flange Ida. ',Ihe

bottom end piece I6 may have a flange or may be devoid of aange, depending upon the construction and arrangement of the window sill.

If desired-'each side and end piece of the mounting frame may be formed of two sections, one section I5b carrying the grooves for the panels and being arranged within the window frame, and

'f the other section lcforming the 'flange Ida (see The Ypanels I-I and I may be formed of the same material as are the panels E and F, but preferably the rigid rails` lrwhich correspond to the rails 1 areapplied to opposite sides of the panel in spaced relation to the transverse edge thereofy opposite that whichjoverlaps the other panel; and each top and bottom'en'd piece` of the mounting frame G `has agroove 20 vto receive the transverse edge of `the corresponding panelwhen the panels are in yframe-closing position; The rails 2| at the other endsof the panels Ymay ,straddle the corresponding-j. transverse edges or bel grooved to receive the panels, so that said rails 2| will abut each other Y like the rails 'I whenY the panels are in frameclosing pQsition.V l 70 Each of theside pieces has a removable section 22 to form an opening or notch corresponding to vthe opening 6, through which the panels H and I Vcan-be insertedinto and removed from the-mounting frame G. As shown, each; section 22nis hingedly connected at 23 to the ange Ida (see f genesis Figures v*I and 9) so that the section can befswung outwardly'from the mountingAf-rame into a position alongside theouter face ofthe flange. When the removable'sections are swung outwardly as described they leave openings in the corresponding side pieces, and the sections are sufliciently long to permit the panels Hand I to be flexed and slid longitudinally into and out of the respective guide grooves l1 and I8 inthe manner described in connection with thepanels E and F.

Injall forms of the invention, thefrails 1, 19, 2l, etc., preferably slida'bly abut the `sides of the mounting frame to restrain flexing of the longitudinal edge portions of the panels, and reenforcing strips 24 may be securedto `the pa-nelsrtoY prevent undue iiexing of the panels along transverse lines. Also, suitable weather-strip may be utilizejd 'if desire-d to form weather-tight joints between the panels and the mounting frames.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, the removable sections swing horizontally about vertical axes, but if desired the removable `sections may swing about horizontal axes as shown in Figure 12. Here the frame is like the frame A of Figures 1 and 2, and the removable section 24 of each side piece of the mounting frame is hingedly connected at v251: the inner side of the mounting frame so that ther section can be swung inwardly alongside the inner face of the mounting frame A'as shown by dot-and-dash lines in Figures 12 when it is desired to insert and remove the panels intoand from the mounting frame, respectively. In such a construction, the swinging end of theremovable section preferably will be beveled as at 2liV to facilitate the pivotal movement and ensure a snug joint between the removable section and the main portions of the side piece.

If desired, a mounting frame of the type of frame A may be provided with a removable section 29 similar to the section 22 and hingedly connected at 30 directly to the window frame L as shown inFigure 10. This form of theinvention is the samein structure and operation as the form shown in Figures r1 to 9 inclusive, with the e'xception that the mounting frame does not have the vflange |4a. A

In Figures 14 and.15 I have shown a modification of the structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 9,.4

inclusive, wherein instead of the removable sectionv 22 hingedly mounted onv a vertical axis to swing toward the outside of the mounting frame, each side piece of the mounting frame comprises a section 3| which has applied to the inner side.

thereof a guide section 32 in which ris formed one of the guide grooves 33 and one side and the base of the other guide groove 34, the other side of which is formed by the section 3l. Each of the guide sections 32 has a portion 35 hingedly connected. at 36 on a horizontal axis to swing toward the inner side of the mounting frame to provide an opening for the insertion of the ypanels into the grooves 33 and 34. A suitable fastener such as a hook 31. may be utilized for holding the portion ,35 in its normal position as shown in solid lines in Figures. 14 and 15. When it is desired to insert or remove the panels, the portion is swung downwardly and inwardly as shown by dot-and-dash lines in Figure 15.

Itwill be observed that the form. of the invention shown in Figures 14 and 15 is similar to that illustrated in Figure 12, the main difference being in the structure ofthe side piece of th'e frame. l

Instead of arranging the removable or hinged l sections o'fftne side piecesfto `swing` towardl fthe inside or the outside-lof the lmounting l-iraine a l`see-tion of eachside piece lm'ay be arranged lto swing -in th'e -generalplane 'of the mounting-frame and inwardly thereof as show-'n linFigure `13. Here the side piece 38 lis l-in genera-l' the 'saine as th'e side pieces shown in .Figures 14 aind"=15f,` lbut the hinged portion 39 of the guide section-fili] is pivotally mounted on a pin 4l so that it finay be swung inwardly ofthe -frame to provide an opening 'for the insertion of the panels into the guide grooves as shown by dot and-dash lines 'in Figure 13, or maybe swung normally Ainto al'ig-nmen-twith the main portion of the guide section'll als-shown bysolid lines.

In alliorms of the invention so far described 4it wil1 be understood that the panels canbe removed frorn the respective-mounting frames `by lirs't pushing the lower panel upwardly to a point above theopenings E, 22, etc., of the mounting frames, then 'flexing the lower end portions of the lower panel and pulling them outwardly through said openings, and thereafter iiexin'gand pulling the 'upper `panel through the said openings.

vSo -far the invention has been describedprimarily fas a storm window, -bu't of `course lthe panels E, F, H `and `I may constitute screen panels rather than window panels. As shown in Figure 21, each panel'may consist of a sheet of wire screen F whose longitudinal edges are formed ras by binding strips 51 to slide inthe guide grooves 3,4, I6, l1, etc. Thefmounting and removing of the screen sections in and from` the mounting frames is eiected in exactly the same way las is the mounting and removal of the plastic Window panels.

In Figures lto 19-inclusive, I have shown another modiflcation of the invention wherein the mounting frame M comprises side pieces 42, a, top piece 43 and a bottom piece 44. Each side piece 42 has undercut grooves 45 and 43 which are spaced apart in the general plane of the frame and also depthwise of the frame. The grooves 45 of the two side pieces are complemental to each other for mounting one of the panels N and O, in the present instancel the upper panel N, while the other grooves 46 arel complemental to 'each other for mounting th'e other panel. The mouths of the grooves open through one face of the mounting frame M, preferably the inner face, and

each side piece has an opening 41 for each of the grooves, through which guide means on the longitudinal, marginal portions of the respective panels may be inserted into the grooves. y

As shown, these guide means comprise in effect sectional guide ribs which are composed of a plurality of longitudinally aligned spaced sections 48, each of which includes an approximately cylindrical portion 49 and a relatively nar-row neck portion 50, the cylindrical portions 49 corresponding in shape to the` undercut portions of the grooves 45 and 46, and the neck portions 50 corresponding in width to the mouth's of the grooves.

The openings 41 are greater in width than the respective grooves, corresponding in width substantially to the 'cylindrical portions 49 ofv the guide rib sections; and said openings are of sufficient length to permit-the guide ribsto belinserted therethrough and into the corresponding grooves upon simultaneous flexing and longitudinal sliding of th'e corresponding panel.

The panels may be of any suitable structure such as hereinbefore described, but of course must be flexible, and the panels are mounted inv the vframe M in substantially the same-manner as grooves.

` ure 22.

' Y persons and vwithout the described in connection withthe'form of theinvention shown in Figures-l1 *to4 gin'clusive; g In other words, to insert either panel into'the mounting Afrarne'the ends of the guide'ribs are inserted intothe corresponding openings Vlll, and,` simultaneously, the panel Vis flexed andV longitudinally slid so as to push theV guide ribs into they guide The panelsN and O are provided with reenlforcing. rails 5| at their top and rbottom or transverse edges of substantially the rsame structure VmentV of the edges of the panels from the guide grooves in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, the guide grooves may be undercut as indicated at 52 in Figure 20,` and Athe longitudinal edges of th'e panels 53may have longitudina] beads or ribs 54 corresponding in shape to the grooves. With this construction, it will be seen that the-ribs 54 will positively prevent the panels from flexing or from being pushed out of their own planes. I

In some instances, it may be desirable to providereenforcement for the longitudinal edge portions of the panels in th'e forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 to v11` inclusive, and forzthis purpose a U-shaped metal edge reenforcing strip 55 may be applied in embracingrelation to the edge portion of the panel 56 as shown in Fig- With my invention itwill lbe seen that adequate ventilation may be obtained where the invention Yis embodied in a storm window, due to the ease with which the panels may be raised and lowered. Furthermore, the plastic panels have high heatinsulating properties which are especially advantageous in storm windows. Y

VInjall forms of the invention, thev mounting frames may be constructed tofltcertain standard sizes of window ordoor frames, and any mounting -frame having once been constructed, may

be easily and quickly mounted-in any window frame of the corresponding size so that numbering or other identification of themounting frames is unnecessary. Also, the panels may be interchangeable so that no special Vcare will be necessary in selecting the panels as they are inserted' into the mounting frames'. The panels are light v in Weight and the structure of thepanels and frames is such that they may be easily installed and removed by relatively unskilled or elderly fastening devices. Y I

While I have shown and described my invention as embodying certain details of construction, it will be understood that the construction of the inventionl may be widely modified and changed by those skilled in the art within the spirit and the scope of the invention. Y I

What I claim is;

l, The combination of a frame having side pieces and end pieces and two parallel longitudinal grooves in the inner surface of each side piece and opening inwardlyof said frame, each groove in one side piece beingcomplemental to one said groove in the other. lsideJpiece for mount 1 ing afpanel, flexible panels each having its longimtudinal edgesnsllidable ina pair of said com- I pleinental grooves, Ysaid panels complementing each otherso that with one end portionof each .o overlyingan end portionof the other said panels willj close said frame, each said side piece having Y a removable section at one side of the middle of 1 the length of saidframe to form a notch in said AYside piece that intersects Yboth Said grooves, said panels being insertible'into the respective complernental grooves by simultaneously ilexing and panel lformed of flexible material and having a guide rib extending along each longitudinal marginal vportion at one side of said panel to slidl ably nt in one of said undercut grooves, each use yof tools or special i said side piece having an opening intersecting said groove and greater in width than the mouth of the groove to facilitate insertion'of the corresponding said guide rib through said opening and intov the corresponding groove upon simultaneous exing and longitudinal sliding of the panel.

- 3. The combination of a frame having side pieces .and end pieces and two parallel longitudinal grooves in the inner surface of each side piece and opening inwardly of said frame, each groover in one side piece being complemental to one said groove in theY other side piece for mounting f a panel, panels, each'formed 'of flexible material vhaving its longitudinal edges slidable in a pair of said complemental grooves, said panels complementing each other so that ,with onetransverse edge portion of each overlying one transverse edge portion of the other andV theother edge portions located at opposite ends of the frame, said panels will close said frame, Cach said side piece having a notch extending inwardly from said inner surface and from one face of the frame and intersecting both said grooves at a point at one side of the middle of the length of said frame, said panels being inserti-ble into the respective complemental grooves by, simultaneously ilexing and longitudinallyA sliding said panels through said notches, each panel having a rigid end rail at each of its transverse edges to prevent flexing of said panels along longitudinal lines, and the ends of'said rails slidably abutting said inner surfaces of said side pieces of said frame beyond said grooves. Y' i 4. TheV combination of a frame having side pieces and end pieces, and two parallel longitudinalgrooves ineach side piece, each groove in one side piece being complemental to a groove in the other side piecefor mounting a panel, panels, each having Vits longitudinal edges slidable in a pair of saidcomplemental grooves, said panels complementing each other so that with one transverse edge portion of each overlying one transverse edge portion of the other and the other transverse edge portionslocated at opposite ends of. said frame said panels will @lose said frame, each panel having a rigid end rail adjacent each transverse edge thereof and said'rail at the first-mentioned edge portion of one panel being located' between and adapted to abut both rails of the other panel upon relative movement of said panels in opposite directions,

5. The combination of a frame having side pieces and end pieces and two parallel nlongitudinal grooves in the inner surface of each side piece and opening inwardly of said frame, each groove in one side piece being complemental to one said groove in the other side piece for mounting a panel, panels, each formed of ilexilble material having its longitudinal edges slidable in a pair of said complemental grooves, said panels complementing each other so that with one transverse edge portion of each overlying one transverse edge portion of the other and the other edge portions located at opposite ends of the frame, said panels will close said frame, each said side piece having a notch extending inwardly from said inner surface and from one face of the frame and intersecting both said grooves at a point at one side of the middle of the length of said frame, said panels fbeing insertible into the respective complemental grooves by simultaneously flexing and longitudinally sliding said panels through said notches, each end piece of said frame having a groove to receive one transverse edge of one of said panels when said panels are in frame-closing position.

6. The combination of a frame having side pieces and end pieces, and two parallel longitudinal grooves in each side piece, each groove in one side piece being complemental to a groove in the other side piece for mounting a, panel, panels, each having its longitudinal edges slidable in a pair of said complemental grooves, said panels complementing each other so that with one transverse edge portion of each overlying one transverse edge portion of the other and the other transverse edge portions located at opposite ends of said frame, said panels will close said frame,

each said panel comprising a sheet of resiliently flexible plastic material and there Ibeing a rigid rail secured to each said sheet in spaced relation to the second-mentioned transverse edge thereof to prevent ilexing of the sheet along longitudinal lines, each end piece of said frame having a groove to receive said second-mentioned transverse edge of one of said panels when said panels are in frame-closing position.

JACK I. ZITRIN. 

